Search from various English teachers...
Hannah S
他跟你说什么,你就做什么。
Hi guys,
I'm having a tough time with the question above.
The translation I've been given is: "Do whatever he tells you."
Which I assume is a command?
I can understand it says "He tells you somthing, then do it."
But how do you know it's a command?
Thanks!Thanks for all of your help guys. Sorry question was not correct, I meant command - very tired.
There was no context given with this particular phrase, that's what threw me.
I suppose I want to understand it in order to learn a new sentence pattern. I haven't really seen commands very much in Chinese (I'm still elementary).
Perhaps someone could give me a couple of different examples of how the above could be used in different scenarios - if you have time! :D
Sep 29, 2015 1:54 PM
Answers · 7
2
他跟你说什么,你就做什么。This sentence has a commanding tone,which often appear in a conversation between the superiors and subordinates.
September 29, 2015
1
他跟你说什么,你就做什么。
I'm having a tough time with the question above.
If it indeed a question, it has the question mark at the end replaced by a full-stop.
他跟你说什么,你就做什么? Re-written this way, it is "Do you do whatever he tells you to?"
Even as a statement it can be descriptive.
"(我明白你们的关系,) 他跟你说什么,你就做什么。”
As a statement alone, without any context whatever, it is indeed a command.
("He says something to you, you do it.")
the "就“ part referring to the earlier "说什么", and relating it in meaning to the next "做什么”.
September 29, 2015
1
More accurately, it should be translated as 'Do as what he told you to.'
Imagine that your boss gave you a task/job, and you can't make any comments/complaints about the task. Then you must feel annoyed/frustrated. Isn't it a command?
September 29, 2015
hi,hannah. Can we chat? I'm a student and now I'm seeking job so I want to improve my English for interview. Please add me as friend.
October 12, 2015
Hannah, it does not have to be a command. It could be a plea, a piece of advice or persuasion.
It could also be an accusation (of favouritism or lack of independent thinking).
Why don't you just give us the whole picture:
1. What is this? Homework? Something you saw on TV? Or...?
2. What are you trying to do with it?
3. What is the context? Is there a story?
September 30, 2015
Show more
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Hannah S
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English
Learning Language
Chinese (Mandarin)
Articles You May Also Like

How to Ask for a Raise or Promotion in English
9 likes · 8 Comments

The Key to Learning a Language Faster
29 likes · 8 Comments

Why "General English" is Failing Your Career (An Engineer’s Perspective)
29 likes · 12 Comments
More articles
